DRC

Events

Belgium conquers Katanga

King Leopold of Belgium rules the Congo

Congo is given to Leopold as his private venture at the Conference of Berlin.

Roger Casement Investigation

1903

After rumors of torture and killings of natives by colonial companies, the British Consul is sent to the Jungle to investigate and he finds the rumors are true.

Belgian Rule of Congo

1908 - 1960

Prime Minister Lumumba Arrested and Murdered

1960 - 1961

UN Troops Come to the Congo

June 1960

Congolese army rebels and Katanga state declares itself independent

Congo Granted Independance

June 1960

Patrice Lumumba is prime minister and Joseph Kasavubu is president.

Government Overthrown by Joseph Mobutu

1965

Mobutu Renames Congo Zaire

1971

Tutsi Rebels Capture Eastern Zaire

1996

Mobutu Overthrown

May 1997

Tutsi and anti-Mobutu rebels capture capital of Zaire, and install Laurent-Desire Kabila as president, renaming the country Democratic Republic of Congo.

Rebellion Against Kabila

August 1998

Rwandan and Ugandan rebels advance towards capital and take much of eastern DRC. Troops from Angola, Namibia, and Zimbabwe side with Kabila.

Lusaka Peace Accord Signed

July 1999

Creates ceasefire between six warring countries

UN Troops sent to monitor ceasefire

2000

Fighting continues between rebels from Uganda and Rwanda and government forces.

President Kabila Killed

January 2001

Shot by a bodyguard, succeeded by his son Joseph Kabila

Peace Agreements Between DRC, Uganda, and Rwanda

2002

New Constitution Adopted

May 2005

Text is agreed upon by former warring groups

Free Election Held

July 2006

This election is the first in four decades, but there is no clear winner between the incumbent president and the opposing candidate. A run-off election is held in October and Kabila is declared the winner.